Dear Ferret Lovers:
 
Back in 1992 when some of us in the Ferret community first began a serious
dialogue with the HSUS, I thought: Well, if we Ferret people just educate
them, things will change.  The first indication of a possible change was
when the HSUS allowed ferret booths at their yearly HSUS EXPOs, beginning
with Ferret Friends of Indian River County in 1993.  At the EXPOs, local
Humane Societies from all over the country were given info on ferret rescue,
shelter and care provided by Shelters, Ferret Half-way Houses, and Rescues
throughout the United States.  By 1994 we thought we were making progress,
as a number of local humane society shelters began calling Ferret shelters
and rescues to get help in placing foundlings.  But despite all our efforts
to familiarize HSUS people with our work and educate them about ferrets, we
were unable to get them to change their policy.
 
Then in May 1995 we suffered a horrendous setback, when the CBS Morning Show
did a segment on ferrets which portrayed our beloved pets as baby maulers
and a threat to the environment!  Ferret people were simply outraged, as you
will remember.  Letters, Faxes, Video's, E-Mails by the hundreds were sent
to the Humane Society of the United States in Washington, DC demanding a
change in their policy on Ferrets.
 
One particular reaction seems to have gotten their attention.  Howard Davis,
Humane Affairs Editor of the Independent Voice,which had previously treated
the HSUS with kid gloves, published a scathing article attacking them and
their "humane policy-not".  In September, a couple of months later, Ferret
Friends Disaster Response International (FFDRI) was contacted privately and
informally by an emissary of the HSUS who said the board was concerned about
the negative spin of the article and would favorably respond if we proposed
opening up a "dialogue" with them.
 
There had been any number of false starts before, but Howard (who is vice
coordinator of FFDRI) and I collaborated on a letter which I sent to Mr.
Paul Irwin, president of the HSUS.  In that letter I offered to host, "on
the margins of the [Las Vegas] EXPO and at a time that would be convenient
to you, a private and completely off-the-record exploratory meeting between
you and any senior HSUS staff you may wish to bring, and a few nationally
recognized ferret experts."
 
The letter was answered on November 15, not by Mr. Irwin but by a John F.
Kullberg, who at the time was standing in temporarily for Rachel Lamb,
director of the HSUS Companion Animal Section.  Mr. Kullberg's response was
OK, but hardly all what we had hoped for.  Reaffirming that HSUS's policy
was "formed from a broad consensus of staff expertise and knowledge," he
indicated that he himself, "along with other appropriate HSUS staff, would
be happy to meet with you and any other individuals you choose to invite,"
but told us to contact Rachel Lamb to arrange a meeting time.
 
Then, in December, Howard learned that Martha Armstrong, who as legislative
affairs director of the MSPCA at the time was already knowledgeable about
ferrets, had been named Vice President for the Companion Animals Section, a
position ranking higher than the Directorship held by Ms. Lamb.  Quite
frankly we stalled accepting Mr. Kullberg's offer in hopes of opening a
dialogue with Ms. Armstrong.
 
In a December 16 letter to her in his capacity as Humane Affairs Coordinator
for LIFE, the League of Independent Ferret Enthusiasts, Howard argued that
it was time for a "fresh start" in relations between the ferret community
and the HSUS, but warned that "relations between the HSUS and the
ferret-owning community, including the network of humane volunteers, cannot
improve unless the HSUS alters its course".  He wrote her that what would be
needed was a commitment by the HSUS "to (a) stop disseminating unfactual
information about ferrets, (b) cease actively opposing legalization of
ferrets; (c) encourage local humane societies and animal control authorities
to cooperate with responsible ferret shelters and groups to avoid
unnecessary euthanization of abandoned ferrets."
 
In late January we learned that The HSUS board had turned the entire matter,
including our earlier correspondence with Mr. Kullberg, over to Ms.
Armstrong, who was more than willing to host the meeting we had requested
back last fall.  Ms. Armstrong and Ms. Lamb worked closely with Howard and
me to develop the list of participants for what turned out to be a historic
meeting between ferret people and HSUS officials at the Las Vegas EXPO on
February 13, 1996 -- exactly 3 months ago today.
 
To prepare for the meeting, we put together a point-by-point critique of the
inaccuracies and misconceptions in the 1992 HSUS policy, compelling new
statistics on the ferret population and bite incidence, facts on the tragedy
of rabies-testing euthanization in bite cases, and Howard's detailed
proposals for a new policy.  Ms. Armstrong asked Howard to make a
presentation at the meeting to explain just what the ferret community wanted
from the HSUS.
 
He did so, and it was one of the most eloquent and persuasive presentations
I have ever heard.  He knocked their socks off.  Excellent information was
also presented on behalf of California by Jeanne and Floyd Carley, on rabies
by Troy Lynn Eckart, on shelters by Stephanie and Rick Sheme and Pam Grant,
and I told them about all the problems the HSUS policy had created for us in
regard to disaster response.  Everyone had a contribution to make.  And this
time the HSUS was listening.
 
On March 13 Ms. Armstrong wrote a formal letter to Howard conveying the news
already posted here about the new HSUS position on California legalization.
But her letter ALSO said, and this has never before been made public:
 
"In response to your request, Rachel, Richard [Farinato] and I have
concluded that The HSUS statement needs to be rewritten to more accurately
reflect the current data and current status of ferrets in today's society.
I am forwarding a draft copy of this statement to you for your review and
comments.  I think you will be pleased with this new statement and that it
will represent a more accurate philosophy of The HSUS towards not only
ferrets but all domestic animals who are kept as companions in our homes."
 
"Again, Howard, thank you for meeting with us and for giving us the nudge to
review our ferret policy," she concluded.  "We look forward to working with
you and others on disseminating updated and appropriate information on
ferrets."
 
In the weeks since then Howard has been in close and continuous contact with
The HSUS, offering additional suggestions and negotiating further changes in
the draft revised policy.
 
NOW the long wait is over, and at last we have the results.  On Monday May
6, climaxing literally years of hard work by Ferret People all over the
country, HSUS released its long-awaited new Ferret Policy.
 
I am not going to summarize it in great detail - I am just going to point
out a couple of key points & then let you read it for yourself.
 
First, the new policy represents a complete turnaround of attitude for the
HSUS.  The new policy is FOR ferrets, not AGAINST them.  No more reference
to ferrets as "not suitable pets." No more scare tactics about vicious
biters.  No more spreading of fear and hatred.
 
I will give just a couple of examples.  In the October 1992 statement, the
HSUS said "...more than 400 ferret attacks on humans have been documented
since 1978, including more than 60 unprovoked attacks on infants and small
children and one fatality.  The HSUS strongly recommends that children,
particularly infants, never be left unsupervised with a ferret."
 
The corresponding language in the new 1996 policy is this: "Ferrets have
sharp teeth and occasionally bite when startled, excited, or handled
improperly.  Because small children have been seriously injured by ferret
bites, The HSUS recommends that children, particularly infants, never be
left unsupervised with ferrets (OR WITH ANY OTHER COMPANION ANIMAL) [my
emphasis]."
 
Second, where the 1992 policy stated "The HSUS does not recommend ferrets
as suitable pets for most people," and "it takes a special individual to
adequately meet a ferret's unique and demanding needs", the new statement
simply and CORRECTLY points out that: "Ferrets require a high level of
commitment to be cared for responsibly and humanely; individuals not
prepared or able to make such a commitment should not keep ferrets as pets,"
and that "keeping ferrets humanely may be a challenge for individuals who
are unfamiliar with their needs and habits."
 
The HSUS has at last decided to treat ferrets as having the same needs and
rights as other companion animals.  Phrases like "as with any companion
animal" and "like other companion animals" appear no fewer than 5 times in
the new policy.
 
Most importantly for ferret humane workers, the HSUS is now actively urging
animal shelters to turn to responsible local ferret-adoption groups to
assist in finding good homes for homeless ferrets.  Previously, the HSUS had
just said shelters should "develop their own individual policies" on whether
to try to place abandoned ferrets--or just euthanize them.  And FFDRI is
especially pleased that the new policy specifically states that ferrets
SHOULD be included in all local emergency-rescue and disaster-management
plans.
 
Troy Lynn's excellent work on the rabies issue also made a major impression
on the HSUS: the new policy actively urges state and local governments to
provide a mandatory observation period, instead of euthanization for
testing, in bite cases where the ferret is vaccinated and has not been
exposed to a rabid animal.
 
Howard has called it a "Ferret Bill of Rights," and that is probably as good
a description as you could ask for.  For me personally, probably the
sentence in the new policy that comes closest to saying it all is this: "As
with any companion animal, domestic ferrets deserve lifelong, responsible
homes and caretakers."
 
I know some people will be irked that the HSUS points out in the policy that
it believes ferrets, LIKE OTHER COMPANION ANIMALS, should "not be bred for
commercial purposes or sold in retail pet stores"-- but remember, they are
after all a humane society, not Marshall Farms -- and ferrets are not being
singled out here.  It is simply their belief that NO companion animal should
be treated as merchandise, and it is a belief that can be respected, whether
or not you agree with it.
 
This new policy is a powerful weapon for ferret people.  We can use it to
change attitudes and change laws.  There can be no excuse now for
legislatures, government agencies, animal shelters, disaster planning
authorities, or media scare-mongers to say that ferrets are wild animals,
that they're vicious, that they're UNWORTHY of humane treatment and rescue.
Because as of now, the HSUS fully accepts ferrets as legitimate companion
animals.
 
All Ferret people can congratulate themselves - we came through for our
ferrets.  But (and everything after but counts) those of you who have read
the FML will remember a post I made back in March.  In that post I mentioned
the name of a person and told you all how I hoped that someday all ferrets
and ferret people everywhere would know the many sacrifices that person had
made for the ferrets, and would someday come to realize just what he had
done for them.  In the end when all is said and done and people ask "who
rang the living bell for our ferrets?" "who freed the ferrets to dance?" let
one name be passed - let one name be sung, let one name be never forgotten:
MR. HOWARD DAVIS.
 
And so, my beloved ferrets, here it is  - the New HSUS Ferret Policy  - NOW
you can all dance:
 
___________________________________________
HSUS Statement on Ferrets as Companion Animals
Revised April 1996
 
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), with over 3 million
constituents, is the largest animal-protection organization in the country.
The HSUS recognizes that domestic ferrets have become increasingly popular
as pets in recent years and can be kept legally as pets in nearly every
state.
 
As with any companion animal, domestic ferrets deserve lifelong, responsible
homes and caretakers.  The HSUS believes that ferrets, like other companion
animals, should not be bred for commercial purposes or sold in retail pet
stores.
 
Ferret owners, individuals interested in adopting ferrets, and animal
shelters should be aware of several issues surrounding the care of domestic
ferrets.  These include:
 
Special Considerations
 
Ferrets are very different from more traditional companion animals such as
dogs and cats.  They are marketed by the pet industry as "unusual," but
individuals considering adopting a ferret should be wary of the industry's
claims that unusual pets are easy to care for.  Ferrets require a high level
of commitment to be cared for responsibly and humanely; individuals not
prepared or able to make such a commitment should not keep ferrets as pets.
 
Rabies
 
In 1990, the United States Department of Agriculture approved a rabies
vaccine for domestic ferrets.  Because the shedding period for the rabies
virus in domestic ferrets is still unknown, many public health officials
recommend that any ferret who bites be euthanized and tested for rabies.
In many cases, however, the ferret has been vaccinated and it is highly
probable that the ferret has not been exposed to rabies or a potentially
rabid animal.  For these cases, state and local governments should instead
provide for a mandatory observation period (as provided for in New Hampshire
and several other jurisdictions).
 
Responsible Care
 
Ferrets have sharp teeth and occasionally bite when startled, excited, or
handled improperly.  Because small children have been seriously injured by
ferret bites, The HSUS recommends that children, particularly infants, never
be left unsupervised with ferrets (or with any other companion animal).
 
Keeping ferrets humanely may be a challenge for individuals who are
unfamiliar with their needs and habits.  Ferrets sleep much of the time,
but when awake are both curious and highly active.  They should not be
confined to a cage at all times, yet need close supervision when allowed
out of their enclosures.  It is usually necessary to take special measures
to "ferret-proof" homes where ferrets are kept to ensure their safety.
 
Like other companion animals, ferrets require periodic veterinary check-ups
and veterinary care when needed.
 
Sterilization
 
Pet ferrets must be spayed or neutered to prevent them from adding to the
numbers of unwanted and homeless ferrets in need of shelter and rescue.
Sterilization is particularly important for female ferrets, who can contract
a disease called fatal aplastic anemia if kept in prolonged estrus.
 
Considerations for Animal Shelters
 
Animal shelters should develop ferret-placement policies that are consistent
with local and state laws (because some laws restrict ownership of ferrets).
Whenever possible, shelters should work with responsible local
ferret-adoption groups that can assist in the placement of homeless ferrets
into lifelong homes.  Like cats, dogs, and other animals, adopted ferrets
must be sterilized before placement or adopted out under an enforceable
sterilization contract.  Similarly, ferrets should be included in local
emergency-rescue and disaster-management plans.
 
HSUS
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
___________________________________
 
I would like to encourage Ferret People everywhere, but especially all of
you here on the FML, to write the HSUS and thank them for being big enough
to change.  It took a long time, but they DID finally LISTEN to us.
 
Anyone who wants their own hard-copy of the new policy on HSUS logo paper
can get one by writing to the HSUS at the above address.
 
In addition, the new policy statement can be downloaded from the Independent
Voice Web site (http://members.gnn.com/AcmeFerret/news.htm), which also
features a complete point-by-point comparison of the old and new policies; a
couple of really cute editorial cartoons on the "Ferret Bill of Rights,"
specially created by the incredibly talented Kimberly Killian; a photograph
of Ann Davis, LIFE's National Coordinator, presenting Martha Armstrong a
plaque from LIFE recognizing her as an "Honorary Ark Angel" for what she has
done for ferrets; and the entire contents of the Independent Voice's Special
Victory Edition on the HSUS decision that was mailed out over the weekend.
 
I will be holding a press conference later today, and thanks to some timely
help from a very generous donor, a press release will be going out to
hundreds of media outlets all over the country, so that as many people as
possible will see this news... of SOMETHING WONDERFUL.
 
signed
Chere McCoy
President Ferret Friends of Indian River County International Director
Ferret Friends Disaster Response International, Disaster Response
Coordinator, League of Independent Ferret Enthusiasts
[Posted in FML issue 1568]